Duplex stock feeder

ABSTRACT

A duplex stock feeder for punch presses having a pair of opposed edge-gripping unitary feed units that are relatively laterally adjustable. The fluid motors for actuating the stock advancing feed slides are controlled by one valving means while the fluid motors for actuating the stock gripping means on said slides are controlled by a separate valving means. These two valving means are operated by an independent power means whose effective actuating speed is governed by the reciprocating movement of the press ram.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Albert W. Scribner 6 Country Club Road, Darien, Conn. 06820 [21 App]. No. 768,432

[22] Filed Oct. 17, 1968 [45] Patented Feb. 9, 1971 [54] DUPLEX STOCK FEEDER 33 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 83/222, 83/277, 83/225; 226/162 [51] Int. Cl B26d 5/22 [50] Field of Search 83/221, 222, 225, 276-278; 226/150, l58167 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,066,577 83/277 7/1913 Bertsch 2,406,508 8/ I 946 Papsdorf 83/ 222 2,468,620 4/ 1949 Gilbert et al. 83/277X 2,755,085 8/ l 956 Giani 226/162UX 3,301,113 1/1967 Hartmann 83/277X 3,425,61 l 2/1969 Zelnick 1 226/162 3,458,381 7/1969 Metcalf 83/277X Primary ExaminerWilliam S. Lawson Attorney-Albert W. Scribner ABSTRACT: A duplex stock feeder for punch presses having a pair of opposed edge-gripping unitary feed units that are relatively laterally adjustable. The fluid motors for actuating the stock advancing feed slides are controlled by one valving means while the fluid motors for actuating the stock gripping means on said slides are controlled by a separate valving means. These two valving means are operated by an independent power means whose effective actuating speed is governed by the reciprocating movement of the press ram.

PATENTED FEB 9.91. 3,561,309

" sum 1 0F 4 PATENTEI] FEB 9m 3,561,309

sum 2 or a INVENTOR.

PATEN'IED FEB 9 l97| SHEET l [1F 4 INVENTOR.

puruzx STOCK FEEDER DUPLEX STOCK FEEDER This invention relates to a novel duplex type stock feeder.

More specifically the invention relates to a novel fluid operated duplex stock feeder that is adapted to rapidly and efficiently advance strip metal into the work station of a punch press and the like.

As modern type punch presses are designed to be more versatile and to operate at higher speeds the problem of efficiently and automatically feeding the stock into a press work station becomes more acute. As press speeds increase so of course must feeder speeds, and further as increased lengths of feed increments are required the feeder must advance the stock at higher average rates of linear speeds if the press is not to be unduly slowed down. It will be apparent that a very efficient and nimble stock feeder arrangement will be required to keep up with the press speeds and the required linear stock feed speeds of such newer presses, particularly where the feeder to be practical must be relatively small, simple and reasonably priced.

One object of the instant invention is to provide a novel duplex stock feeder wherein a pair of laterally adjacent feeder units alternately advance the stock to be fed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved stock feeder that utilizes a novel type of unitary fluid motor and feed slide arrangement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel duplex stock feeder having an independently driven control means, the control action of which is governed by the operative movements of the punch press.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved duplex stock feeder wherein each of the feed slides have been improved mutually facing lever means for gripping the stock to be fed.

Another object is to provide an improved duplex stock feeder having control means that improve the timing of the operation of the gripping means and the feeding means with respect to the operation of the press whereby more efficiently timed and executed feed strokes may be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel stock feeder having a pair of separate feeder units which are controlled by two valving means, one valving means controlling the stock gripping action of both of said feeder units, while the other valving means controls the feeding action of both of said feeder units.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel duplex stock feeder having a pair of separate feeder units that are relatively laterally adjustable relative to each other.

Other objects will become apparent as the disclosure progresses.

IN THE DRAWINGS 7 FIG; 1 is a diagrammatic view of the instant apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating the sequential timing of operation of the fluid motors of the instant apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the present apparatus. FIG. 4 is a top view in partial section as taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an end view as taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a right-hand end view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the press ram follower assembly.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an alternate control arrangement for the instant apparatus.

, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cam shaft and a feed .tirriirrg'car'n connection for the apparatus of FIG. 8.

the other FIGS. In FIG. I there is illustrated a pair of similar stock feeder units I0 and 11 comprising laterally opposed feed slides 12 and I3 which have opposed open-throated stock gripping means 14 and 15 mounted thereon respectively and which are adapted to be actuated by the laterally adjacent fluid motors I6 and 17 respectively. The feed slides 12 and I3 are adapted to be reciprocated in opposed or 180 phase relation with one another in index and feed directions 20 and 21, so as to be capable. when said stock gripping means are properly sequentially actuated, of alternately advancing the stock 22 to be incrementally fed, as illustrated by arrows 23, into the press work station. The individual fluid motor means 16 and 17 are adapted to displace said feed slides in saidfeed direction 21 while either an air-bias means or any suitable spring means, not shown, may be used to move said slides in said index direction 20.

The stock gripping means 14 and I5 are respectively actuated by two individual fluid motor means which are respectively carried by said feed slides and which are respectively controlled by the two output lines 30 and 31, a first four-way valve 32. The rearward ends of the main fluid motor means 16 and 17 are respectively controlled by the two output lines 33 and 34 of a second four-way valve 35. The valves 32 and 35 are adapted to be respectively operated by a suitable control means which here includes rotary earns 40 and 41 that are fastened to a cam shaft 42, the latter being driven through suitable gearing 43, 44 from a drive shaft 45. The gear 44 has half as many teeth as gear 43. Shaft 45 is driven by an electric motor 46 through a suitable slip clutch 47. The slip clutch 47 may be dispensed with if the motor 46 is capable of driving loads at widely varying speeds; a suitable shaded pole type electric motor being appropriate here. The speed and timing of the valve driving action of shaft 45 is controlled or governed by the vertical reciprocating movement 50 of the press ram 51; said ram being effectively coupled to shaft 45 by means of a ram follower coupling 52. This connection includes a bracket 53 which is secured on said press ram and which is provided with a horizontally disposed slot 54. Disposed in slot 54 is a follower roller 55 that is rotatably mounted on a crank pin 56 secured to the disc 57, the latter being secured to the outer end of the drive shaft 45 The effective crank radius of pin 56 is made equal to one-half of the operational stroke of the punch press with which the instant feeder is to be used.

As may be seen the slot 54, in reciprocating with the press ram, will govern the speed and timing at and by which the electric motor 46 may drive the shaft 45 whereby the earns 40 and 41, each of which are provided with substantially I80 peripheral degree lobes, may be rotated so as to operate the valves 35 and 32 in predetermined timed relation to the reciprocation 50 of said press ram 51. This timed relation, which is illustrated in FIG. 2 is such as to cause the feed slides 12 and 13 to alternately advance incremental lengths of stock 22 into the press work station. Referring to FIG. 2 a specific timing description will be made with respect to two consecutive cycles I and II of the press ram. Here the dotted line 70 represents the location of the press ram when the punch is just entering and/or leaving the strip stock being worked. At time T1 during the downward ram stroke 71 of cycle I and after the time the punch has entered the stock, the four-way valve 32 is operated to and held in a first valving condition so that said stock gripping means 14 grips the adjacent side portion of the stock 22 while said stock gripping means 15 assumes a nongripping condition. Thereafter at time T2 during the ensuing upward ram stroke 72 of said cycle I and at or just after the time the punch moves out of the stock the four-way valve 35 is operated to and held operated in its first operative condition so as to control the main fluid motors 16 and 17 whereby feed slide 12 is displaced in a feed direction 21 while feed slide 13 is displaced in an index direction 20. Under these valving conditions the feed slide 12 and its stock gripping means 14 will advance the stock through an incremental length of feed while the feed slide 13 and its gripping means I5 move through a nonfeeding stroke in direction 20. Subsequently at time T3 during the downward ram stroke 73 of the next press cycle ll and after the time the punch has entered the stock the valve 32 is operated to and held in its second operative condition so that now the gripping means 14 assumes a nongripping condition while the gripping means grips the adjacent side portion of the stock. Thereafter at time T4 during the ensuing upward ram stroke 74 of cycle II and at or just after the time the punch leaves the stock the valve 35 is operated to and held in its second operative condition so as to control the main fluid motors I6 and 17 whereby feed slide 12 is displaced in an index direction while the feed slide 13 is displaced in a feed direction 21. Under these conditions the feed slide 13 and its gripping means 15 will now advance the stock through another incremental length of feed while the feed slide 12 and its gripping means 14 move through a nonfeeding stroke. The actual times T2 and T4 may be adjusted so that the feed slides 12 and 13 start their feed strokes immediately after this press punch leaves the stock 22. It will be apparent then that as the punch press is successively cycled the feed slides 12 and 13 altemately advance successive incremental lengths of stock into the press work station.

A more detailed description of the instant invention will now be made in connection with FIGS. 3-7. Here the apparatus will be considered as generally constituted by two main sections, namely a lower duplex stock feeder section 100, and a preferred embodiment of an upper control section 101, the function of the latter being generally to control said feeder section. These two sections are carried by a common frame or base 103 that comprises a machined piece of large aluminum angle iron; the feeder section 100 being generally disposed on the horizontal leg of said base while the control section 101 is generally disposed on the vertical leg of said base. A pair of slots 98, 99, FIG. 4, are provided in the front end of the base 103 so as to facilitate the mounting of the instant device on the press with which it is to be used.

The feeder section 100 comprises front and rear brackets 104 and 105 which are suitably secured to said base and on which are mounted two similar stock feeding modules or units A and B ln that these modules are similarly constructed and arranged that they have been respectively shown in different views and cross sections in the drawings, and in the following description they will be described simply as one unit; the various reference numerals in the drawings designating the parts of the feeder unit A having the subscripts a associated therewith, while the corresponding reference numerals designating the corresponding parts of feeder unit B have the subscripts b associated therewith. Each feeder unit comprises a main tube 110 having a forward end that is secured to said bracket 104 by means of a threaded plug 111 and a nut 112, and having a rearward end that is secured to the bracket 105 by means of the tubular threaded plug 113 and a nut 114. In the rearward end of the main tube there is slidably mounted a tubular piston 115 having a tubular piston rod 116 integrally connected thereto, the forward end of the piston rod 116 being connected to a feed slide 117 that is adapted to reciprocate in a longitudinally notched or cutaway portion 120, FIGS. 3 and 4, formed through the walls of the upper forward portion of said main tube 110. The forward limit of movement of the piston, piston rod and feed slide is deter- I mined by engagement of the enlarged forward end of the piston rod 116 with the adjacent rearward end of said threaded plug 111 while the rearward limit of movement thereof is determined by the engagement of the rearward end of the piston assembly with adjacent forward end of an adjustable screw 121 that is threaded axially through said tubular plug 113 and is locked in a selected stroke determining position by means of a lock nut 122. An impact buffer means is provided for cushioning the terminal portion of each stock feed stroke o f the feed slide 117, said means comprising a small buffer piston 123 that is slidably mounted in a cylinder 124 formed in the rearward end of the piston 115, said piston 123 being connected to an elongated piston rod 125 that extends, with a slight radial clearance, through the bore of the main tubular piston rod 116. When the buffer piston 123 is in its forwardmost position relative to piston 115, the forward end of piston rod 125 will be located a short distance forwardly of the adjacent end of piston rod 116. The rearward end of the buffer cylinder 124 is closed by means ofa threaded plug 126 which has a very small diameter air supply hole 127 axially formed therethrough and which also has an enlarged head 130 that operatively engages said adjustable screw 121 at the end of each rearward or indexing stroke of said feed slide 117. It will be apparent from the above that the effective length of the feed stroke of feed slide 117 may be varied by adjusting the axial position of screw 121, and that the terminal portion of each feed stroke of the feed slide 117 will be cushioned by said impact buffer means. The main tube is provided with a suitable fitting 131 which communicates with the main cylinder 132 and which is adapted to be connected to a flexible fluid conducting tube 133, FIGS. 3 and 6. When fluid pressure is supplied to said tube 133 the buffer piston 123 will move forwardly relative to piston to an impact cushioning position while the piston 115 and hence the feed slide 117 are simultaneously being driven in a forward or feed direction 134, FIG. 3. When fluid pressure is exhausted from said tube 133 the feed slide 117 will be driven in an opposite index direction 135, FIG. 3, by the provision of any suitable fluid biasing means or by a spring 136, FIG. 4, that is operatively connected between the feed slide and the rear bracket 105.

The feed slide 117 comprises a transversely disposed block 140 that is attached to a flat surface 141, FIG. 5, formed on the enlarged end of the piston rod 116, by means of screws 142, 143 and 144, said flat surface 141 being approximately coplanar with the horizontal surfaces 146 that define the horizontal longitudinal side surfaces of said notched portion of the main tube 110. (For clarity the screw 143 is shown in FIG. 5 as being in the plane of the section line 5-5). The feed slide 117 is provided with an open-throated stock gripping means thereon, such means comprising a lever 150 that is formed with an enlarged hole thcrethrough so as to be capable of being mounted on the upper enlarged end of a screw 142 for slight pivotal movement in a vertical plane. The rounded shoulder surface just underneath the head of screw 142 cooperates with the adjacent surface surrounding said hole in the lever and thus facilitates the lever pivoting action. As may be readily seen the inner end of lever 150 is adapted to cooperatively move towards and away from a hardened plate 151 that is secured by any suitable means such as screws 152, FIG. 3, to the laterally inner end of the block so as to thereby effectively define said open-throated stock gripping means. The outer end of the lever is adapted to be power operated by a fluid motor means that includes a cylinder 155, FIG. 5, formed through the top of the feed slide block 140 and in which is slidably mounted a piston 156 that is integrally connected to a piston rod 157 having a reduced upper end that extends through a slightly enlarged aperture formed in the outer end of the said lever 150; An axial bore 160 is formed through piston 156 and piston rod 157 so that a flexible tube 161 that is attached to the upper serrated end of said piston rod may conduct pressure fluid to and from the lower portion of said cylinder 155. The said piston rod 157 is formed with a rounded shoulder 162 which engages the surface surrounding the lower edge of said aperture in the lever 150 and thus facilitates the slight pivotal action of said lever relative to said rod 157. A lever retaining clip 163 is secured the piston rod 157 so that the outer end of the lever 150 will follow any downward movement of piston 155. When fluid pressure is supplied to the flexible tube 161 the piston 156 will rise thereby causing the inner end of lever 150 to swing downwardly into gripping engagement with the adjacent side portion of the strip stock 165 that is to be advanced in said feed direction 134, FIG. 3, and when fluid pressure is exhausted from tube 161 the lever 150 will release its grip on said stock.

The upper edges of front and rear brackets I04 and 105 are centrally notched as illustrated at 170. FIGS. 4 and 5, so that the stock 165 may pass therethrough. the rear bracket being provided with any suitable laterally adjustable guide means 171, FIG. 4, for laterally guiding the stock 165 through the instant device. In order to variably alter the maximum width of stock that may be accommodated by the instant apparatus. either or both of the feeder modules A and B are laterally adjustably mounted on the brackets 104 and 105. Here for example each of said brackets is provided with a laterally extending slot, such as shown at 173 of FIGS. 4 and 6, through which said threaded plugs 1 11b and 1l3b respectively extend thereby allowing feeder module B to be positioned at varying lateral distances from feeder module A. A suitable aperture 174, FIG. 5, is provided in the vertical leg of base 103 to accommodate the operative movement of the outer end of the feed slide ll7b when the latter is adjusted to its laterally extended position relative to the other opposed feed slide 117a. It will be understood that suitable O-ring or other sliding fluid seals are provided where needed in the instant apparatus as is illustrated in the drawing.

The control section 101 of the instant apparatus will now be described. The two flexible fluid conducting tubes 133a and 1331) servicing the main fluid motor cylinders 132a and 132b respectively are connected to the two output ports of a first conventional type four-way valve 180, while the two flexible tubes 161a and 16117 servicing the stock-gripping motor means are respectively connected to the two output ports of a second similar four-way valve 181. The valves 180, 181 are respectively secured to two spaced horizontally extending support brackets 182 and 183 that are fastened by any suitable means to the vertical leg of said base 103. Said valves are provided with conventional type ball actuators, such as illustrated at 184 and 185 respectively, which are adapted to engage and be operated by the periphery of cams 186 and 187 respectively, as is best illustrated in FIG. 6. Exemplary equipment which may be used here is a model NO. M.IV4 four-way valve and a MBA-1 ball actuator as marketed by the Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The earns 186 and 187 are secured to a cam shaft 190 by means of suitable set screws 191, 192 disposed in the hubs 193, 194 of said cams respectively. The cam shaft 190 is rotatably mounted on said brackets 182 and 183 and has a gear 195 secured thereto, said gear being driven by a gear 196 that is secured to a drive shaft 197 that is also rotatably mounted on said brackets 182, 183, the gear 196 having half as many teeth as gear 195. The drive shaft 197 is adapted to be driven by an independent electric motor 200 through a suitable flexible coupling 201; the motor 200 being suitably mounted on the vertical leg of base 103.

As will be apparent, operation of the electric motor 200 will rotate said cams 186, 187 which in turn serve to sequentially operate the feeder control valves 180, 181 respectively. The speed of rotation of drive shaft 197 is arranged to be controlled or governed by the reciprocating movement of the ram 202, FIG. 3 of the punch press with which the instant apparatus is to be used. The governing means here comprises a disc 204 that is secured by a suitable set screw 205, FIG. 3, to the extended forward end of the drive shaft 197. To the disc 204 there is secured, by any conventional means, a cam follower roller 206 that is operatively disposed between a pair of horizontal parallel bars or rails 207 and 208, FIG. 3, said bars being fixedly carried by a vertical support arm 210 that is vertically adjustably secured by any suitable means to the said ram 303 of the punch press. The effective vertical distance between the opposed inner horizontal surfaces of the bars or rails 207, 208 is only very slightly greater than the effective diameter of the roller 206; and the effective crank radius of said roller 206 with respect to the rotational axis of shaft 197 is equal to one-half the operative stroke of the press ram 202. If desired the disc 204 may be provided with several holes for mounting the roller 206 at different radii from the disc axis, as illustrated in FIG. 7, thereby making it possible for the instant device to accommodate presses having different effective stroke lengths.

As will be seen the vertical reciprocating movement of the press ram 202 will govern the orbital rate of speed at which the roller 206 may swing under the driving action of the electric motor 200. said motor preferably being a shaded-pole type motor that is capable of efficiently delivering torque over a wide range of rotational speeds. (A constant speed type motor could be used here together with a slip clutch as illustrated and described in connection with FIG. 1). With the press ram 202 operating at a given number of cycles per minute (which rate is to be less than the maximum rotary speed of motor 200) the said governing means will permit electric motor to drive shaft 197 only at the same rotational speed (i.e. revolutions per minute) so that the cam shaft 190, cams I86, 187 and the valves 180 and 181 all may be operated in a predetermined timed relation with respect to the reciprocating movement of the said press ram 202. Fine or terminal adjustments in the timing may be made by loosening either one or both cam set screws 191, 192, adjusting the rotary positions of the associated cam relative to the cam shaft 190 and then retightening the loosened set screw 191 and/or 192. The timing for the valving action of the instant duplex feeder has been discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 and hence need not be further discussed here except to note that the feeder units A and B will alternately execute stock feeding strokes so that said stock may be incrementally advanced one uniform step for each cycle of the press (assuming of course that the two stroke adjusting screws 121a and 121b have been set so that each feed slide 117a and 117b has the same effective stroke length). In that the index or nonfeeding stroke of each feed slide occurs generally during the feed stroke of the other slide, the instant device will be capable of accommodating relatively high press cycle speeds in the order of 400 to 600 strokes or more per minute. The minimum number of valves, the direct actuation of the valves and 181, the relatively short lengths of the flexible tubes 133a, 133b, 161a and 16lb used, and the relatively low mass of the moving parts, such as the main pistons and the feed slides, all contribute to the high speed and accuracy capability of the instant duplex stock feeding device.

In FIG. 8 there is illustrated an alternate control section 101' for the said feeder section 100. Here the duplex feeder section is adapted to be controlled so as to complete a predetermined plurality of feed strokes that cumulatively advance the stock a desired total feed distance after which an operative cycle of the press is initiated. Referring to FIG. 8 the four-way valves 180a, and 181a, which are constructed and function in the same manner as that described above for said valves 180 and 181 respectively, are arranged to be respectively actuated by two similar cams 220 and 221. These cams are mounted on a cam shaft 222 that is adapted to be rocked back and forth through an angle 223 by means of a lever 224 that is actuated by a double-acting air motor 225. During each rocking stroke of the cam shaft 222 both cams will be rotated to as to respectively operate said valves 180a and 1811:; however, in that the cam 221, which is associated with the stock gripping motor means, is fixed to said cam shaft 222 while cam 220 has a predetermined amount of rotary backlash built into its connection with said cam shaft 222, the timing of the valve operation is such that during each clockwise and counterclockwise stroke of lever 224 the initiation of operation of the stock gripping motor means will occur slightly before the initiation of operation of the fluid motors which actuate the feed slides 117a and ll7b. Thus the stock is always securely gripped before the forward displacement of each feed slide commences. The backlash connection between cam 220 and cam shaft 222 may be afforded by any suitable means such as, forexample, is illustrated in FIG. 9. Here a conical hole 226 is formed in the cam shaft 222 so that the conical end of an adjustable set screw 227 may cooperate therewith, the set screw being threaded through the hub 230 of cam 220 and being locked in adjusted position by a suitable lock nut 231. As will be apparent the axial position of the conical end of the set screw may be adjusted radially of the cam shaft 222 to give the required degree of timing backlash between the cam 220 and the cam shaft 222.

The rod end of the double-acting air motor 225 is constantly supplied with fluid pressure from a pressure source 235 while the opposite end thereof is periodically supplied with fluid pressure from any conventional type multiple stroke control unit 236; the latter being also supplied with fluid pressure from said source 235. The control unit 236 is further provided with suitable electrical supply connections 237 and is capable of being variably set to initiate a predetermined number and sequence of fluid pressure signals to said head end of air motor 225 so that after the same predetermined number of forward and reverse strokes of said air motor 225, and hence of the lever 224 and feed slides, an output signal will be initiated in the output line 240 thereof so as to initiate the next cycle of operation of the punch press with which the instant device is connected. After this first cycle the press will be successively cycled under the successive repeat count functions of said unit 236. The construction and operation of unit 236 is well known per se and may be any one of the several such units that are now commercially available. In accordance with the abovedescribed apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9, very long cumulative lengths of stock (resulting from a sequence of feed strokes by the duplex feed section 100) may thus be quickly fed into the press preparatory for each successive punching cycle of the press.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the ap pended claims.

I claim:

1, A duplex stock feeder for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

a first feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation through alternate index and feed strokes;

a first open-throat stock gripping means mounted on said first feed slide and adapted to grip and release said stock along one side edge portion thereof;

a first fluid motor means for operating said first feed slide and said stock gripping means;

a second feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation through alternate index and feed strokes;

a second open-throat stock gripping means mounted on said second feed slide and being adapted to grip and release said stock along the opposite side edge portion thereof;

a second fluid motor means for actuating said second feed slide and said second stock gripping means;

those portions of said first and second fluid motor means for operating said slides each being disposed in generally side-by-side relation on the same side of said feed slides;

valve means for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid pressure to and from said first and second fluid motor means; and

control means for operating said valve means so that when said first feed slide partakes of a feed stroke said second feed slide may partake of an index stroke, and when said first feed slide partakes of an index stroke said second feed slide may partake of a feed stroke and so that said gripping means operate while the press tool is in said stock.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first fluid motor means, said first feed slide, and said first stock gripping means define a unitary feeder module that comprises:

a main tubular member mounted on said frame and having a portion thereof notched or cut away;

a piston slidably mounted in said main tubular member;

a piston rod connected to said piston and extending towards said notched portion of said tubular member;

said feed slide being secured to the extended end of said piston rod and being transversely disposed in said notched portion of said main tubular member and being adapted to be moved by said piston in a stock feed direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of said main tubular member.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first fluid motor means includes a main fluid motor for actuating said first feed slide. and a separate stock-gripping fluid motor for actuating said first stock-gripping means.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said valve means includes a first valve for controlling the operation of said main fluid motor, and a second separate valve for controlling the operation of said stock-gripping fluid motor.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 additionally comprising:

separate power means for driving said control means; and

a governor means adapted to be controlled by the operative movements of the punch press elements for governing the valve driving action of said separate power means.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 1; wherein said control means said valve means for alternately operates said first and second fluid motor means, whereby said first feed slide moves through its feed stroke on one cycle of said punch press, and said second feed slide thereafter moves through its feeding stroke on the next cycle of said punch press.

7. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first feed slide is adjustably mounted so as to be movable to variable lateral positions with respect to the stock feed direction, said first feed slide being secured in a selected lateral position.

8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said first and second fluid motor means includes a main fluid motor means for actuating the associated feed slide and a stockgripping fluid motor means for actuating the associated stockgripping means; and wherein said valve means includes a first valving means for controlling the operation of both said stockgripping fluid motor means and a second separate valving means for controlling the operation of both said main fluid motor means.

9. A duplex feeder for intermittently advancing stock into a work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

a first feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation in index and feed directions;

a first fluid motor means for actuating said feed slide;

a first stock-gripping means mounted on said first feed slide;

a second fluid motor means for actuating said first stockgripping means;

a second feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation in index and feed directions;

a third fluid motor means for actuating said second feed slide;

a second stock-gripping means mounted on said second feed slide;

a fourth fluid motor means for actuating said second stockgripping means;

a first valving means for controlling the operation of said first and third fluid motor means whereby the movements of said first and second feed slides are substantially opposite in phase with each other;

a second valving means for controlling the operation of said second and fourth fluid motor means whereby when one of said stock-gripping means is in a stock-gripping position the other of said stock-gripping means assumes a stock releasing condition; and

control means for operating said valving means in timed relation to the operation of the punch press.

10. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein each one of said valving means comprises a four-way valve, and wherein said control means is operated under the control of the reciprocating movement of the ram of said punch press.

11. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said first and second fluid motor means, said first feed slide, and said first stock-gripping means comprise a first individual feeder unit; and wherein said third and fourth fluid motor means, said second feed slide, and said second stock-gripping means comprise a second individual feeder unit; and

means for mounting said first and second feeder units on said frame at varying laterally spaced distances apart so as to be capable of selectively accommodating different maximum widths of stock that are to be fed into said work station.

12. Apparatus as defined by claim 11 wherein said first stock-gripping means on said first feed slide has an open-sided throat so as to be capable of gripping and releasing one side portion of said stock; and wherein said second stock-gripping means on said second feed slide has an open-sided throat so as to be capable of gripping and releasing an opposite side portion of said stock.

13. in a stock feeder for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like:

a frame;

a main tube mounted on said frame, one end portion of said tube being longitudinally notched or cut away;

a first fluid motor means including;

a piston slidably mounted in the other end portion of said main tube;

a piston rod connected to said piston and extending towards said cutaway portion of said main tube;

a feed slide transversely disposed in said cutaway portion of said main tube and being connected to the said extended end of said piston rod;

a stock-gripping means mounted on said feed slide and adapted to grip and release said stock;

a second fluid motor means adapted to actuate said stockgripping means; and

valve means for controlling the operation of said first and second fluid motor means so that said feed slide altemately partakes of index and stock feed strokes.

14. Apparatus as defined by claim 13 additionally comprisa second main tube mounted on said frame, one end portion thereof also being longitudinally notched or cut away;

a third fluid motor means including a piston slidably mounted in the other end portion of said second main tube;

a piston rod connected to the last mentioned piston and extending towards said cutaway end portion of second main tube;

a second feed slide transversely disposed in said cutaway portion of said second main tube and being connected to the extended end of said last mentioned piston rod;

stock clamping means mounted on said second feed slide and adapted to grip and release said stock; and

a fourth fluid motor means adapted to actuate said stockgripping means, said valve means also controlling the operation of said third and fourth fluid motor means.

15. Apparatus as defined by claim 14 wherein said first and second main tubes are laterally adjustable relative to one another, and wherein said valve means includes separate valves for respectively controlling the operation of said feed slides and said stock-gripping means.

16. Apparatus as defined by claim 14 additionally comprising:

control means adapted when actuated to operate valve means;

separate power means for driving said control means; and

a governor means adapted to be controlled by the operative movements of the punch press elements for governing the valve driving action of said separate power means.

17. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

a pair of feed slides mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and stock feeding directions; stock-gripping means mounted on each of said feed slides and being adapted to grip and release said stock; I a first motor means adapted to reciprocate said feed slides so as to alternately displace said slides in stock feed control means for controlling the operation of said first and second motor means so that said feed slides alternately partake of a plurality of stock feeding strokes for each cycle of operation of said press.

l8. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said first motor means includes separate fluid motors for actuating said feed slides respectively. and wherein said second motor means includes separate fluid motors for actuating said stockgripping means respectively.

19. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said control means includes a first four-way valve that services said first motor means. and a second four-way valve that services said second motor means.

20. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein a fluid operated buffer member extends through a piston rod defining part of said first motor means.

21. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said first motor means includes a fluid motor for actuating said first feed slide, and wherein said first feed slide and said fluid motor are adjustable laterally as a unit relative to the other feed slide.

22. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said control means causes said gripping means to shift their respective operative conditions just after the punch tool of the said press has entered said stock, and causes one of said feed slides to initiate a stock feed stroke just after said tool is withdrawn from said stock.

23. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said control means includes means to initiate a cycle of said press only after completion of a plurality of said stock feeding strokes.

24. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said means for actuating said stock-gripping means comprises fluid motor means that includes at least one piston and piston rod. said piston and piston rod having a fluid pressure conduit formed therethrough.

25. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said feed slides are provided with feed stroke buffer means, said buffer means including piston cylinder means that are operative to cushion the terminal portions of said feed strokes.

26. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing strip stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

first and second feed slides mounted on said frame in mutually facing side by side relation so that each is capable of reciprocating in substantially parallel indexing and stock feed directions;

actuating means for actuating said feed slides so that the latter may be alternately displaced in a stock feed direction;

stock-gripping means mounted on said feed slides and adapted to grip and release said stock;

said stock-gripping means including:

a first lever means pivotally mounted on said first feed slide;

a second lever means pivotally mounted on said second feed slide;

the respective operative inner ends of said lever means facing each other and being respectively adapted to swing into and out of gripping engagement with the opposite edge portions of said stock to be advanced;

actuating means operative to displace the respective outer ends of said lever means so that said inner ends may respectively grip said stock; and

control means for controlling the operation of said actuating means so that said lever means may alternately grip said stock and said feed slides are alternately advanced in a stock feed direction in timed relation to the operation of said press.

27. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said actuating means includes fluid motor means; and wherein said control means includes valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid motor means whereby said feed slides alternately partake of stock feed strokes.

28. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said control means includes valve means and means for sequentially ac mating said valve means in timed relation to the operation of said press so that said stock-gripping means shift their operative conditions while the tool of said press is in said stock.

29. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said control means includes means to initiate a cycle of said press only after completion of a plurality of said stock feeding strokesv 30. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said control means includes a sensing device that is controlled by the reciprocating movement of the press ram.

31. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

a pair of feed slides each mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and feed directions;

a stock-gripping means mounted on each of said feed slides;

mechanical springs for biasing and driving said feed slides in an indexing direction;

a first pair of fluid motors for respectively actuating said feed slides in a stock feed direction against the continuous biasing action of said mechanical springs;

a second pair fluid motors for respectively actuating said stock-gripping means;

valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid motors;

actuator means for actuating said valve means; and

control means for controlling the operation of said actuator means.

32. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

a pair of feed slides each mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and feed directions;

drive means for actuating said feed slides;

a pair of fluid motors for respectively actuating said stockgripping means; each of said fluid motors including a piston and piston rod both of which. are formed with a longitudinal fluid conducting passage therethrough so that supplying and exhausting fluid pressure to and from said stock-gripping motors may take place through said fluid conducting passage;

valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid motors;

actuator means for actuating said valve means; and

control means for controlling the operation of said actuator means.

33. A duplex stock feeding device for intennittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising:

a frame;

a pair of feed slides each mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and stock feed directions; stock-gripping means mounted on each of said feed slides;

a first pair of fluid motors for respectively actuating said feed slides through alternate feed strokes;

a second pair fluid motors for respectively actuating said.

stock-gripping means;

a plurality of valves for controlling the operation of said first and second pairs of fluid motors;

actuators for actuating said valves;

control means for controlling the respective operation of said actuators;

mounting means for mounting said plurality of valves and said actuators in close proximity to said first and second pair of fluid motors; and

a plurality of relatively short lengths of flexible tubing for respectively interconnecting said valves and said four fluid motors. 

1. A duplex stock feeder for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; a first feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation through alternate index and feed strokes; a first open-throat stock gripping means mounted on said first feed slide and adapted to grip and release said stock along one side edge portion thereof; a first fluid motor means for operating said first feed slide and said stock gripping means; a second feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation through alternate index and feed strokes; a second open-throat stock gripping means mounted on said second feed slide and being adapted to grip and release said stock along the opposite side edge portion thereof; a second fluid motor means for actuating said second feed slide and said second stock gripping means; those portions of said first and second fluid motor means for operating said slides each being disposed in generally side-byside relation on the same side of said feed slides; valve means for controlling the supply and exhaust of fluid pressure to and from said first and second fluid motor means; and control means for operating said valve means so that when said first feed slide partakes of a feed stroke said second feed slide may partake of an index stroke, and when said first feed slide partakes of an index stroke said second feed slide may partake of a feed stroke and so that said gripping means operate while the press tool is in said stock.
 2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first fluid motor means, said first feed slide, and said first stock gripping means define a unitary feeder module that comprises: a main tubular member mounted on said frame and having a portion thereof notched or cut away; a piston slidably mounted in said main tubular member; a piston rod connected to said piston and extending towards said notched portion of said tubular member; said feed slide being secured to the extended end of said piston rod and being transversely disposed in said notched portion of said main tubular member and being adapted to be moved by said piston in a stock feed direction that is substantially parallel to the axis of said main tubular member.
 3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first fluid motor means includes a main fluid motor for actuating said first feed slide, and a separate stock-gripping fluid motor for actuating said first stock-gripping means.
 4. Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said valve means includes a first valve for controlling the operation of said main fluid motor, and a second separate valve for controlling the operation of said stock-gripping fluid motor.
 5. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 additionally comprising: separate power means for driving said control means; and a governor means adapted to be controlled by the operative movements of the punch press elements for governing the valve driving action of said separate power means.
 6. Apparatus as defined by claim 1; wherein said control means said valve means for alternately operates said first and second fluid motor means, whereby said first feed slide moves through its feed stroke on one cycle of said punch press, and said second feed slide thereafter moves through its feeding stroke on the next cycle of said punch press.
 7. Apparatus as defiNed by claim 1 wherein said first feed slide is adjustably mounted so as to be movable to variable lateral positions with respect to the stock feed direction, said first feed slide being secured in a selected lateral position.
 8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said first and second fluid motor means includes a main fluid motor means for actuating the associated feed slide and a stock-gripping fluid motor means for actuating the associated stock-gripping means; and wherein said valve means includes a first valving means for controlling the operation of both said stock-gripping fluid motor means and a second separate valving means for controlling the operation of both said main fluid motor means.
 9. A duplex feeder for intermittently advancing stock into a work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; a first feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation in index and feed directions; a first fluid motor means for actuating said feed slide; a first stock-gripping means mounted on said first feed slide; a second fluid motor means for actuating said first stock-gripping means; a second feed slide mounted on said frame for reciprocation in index and feed directions; a third fluid motor means for actuating said second feed slide; a second stock-gripping means mounted on said second feed slide; a fourth fluid motor means for actuating said second stock-gripping means; a first valving means for controlling the operation of said first and third fluid motor means whereby the movements of said first and second feed slides are substantially opposite in phase with each other; a second valving means for controlling the operation of said second and fourth fluid motor means whereby when one of said stock-gripping means is in a stock-gripping position the other of said stock-gripping means assumes a stock releasing condition; and control means for operating said valving means in timed relation to the operation of the punch press.
 10. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein each one of said valving means comprises a four-way valve, and wherein said control means is operated under the control of the reciprocating movement of the ram of said punch press.
 11. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said first and second fluid motor means, said first feed slide, and said first stock-gripping means comprise a first individual feeder unit; and wherein said third and fourth fluid motor means, said second feed slide, and said second stock-gripping means comprise a second individual feeder unit; and means for mounting said first and second feeder units on said frame at varying laterally spaced distances apart so as to be capable of selectively accommodating different maximum widths of stock that are to be fed into said work station.
 12. Apparatus as defined by claim 11 wherein said first stock-gripping means on said first feed slide has an open-sided throat so as to be capable of gripping and releasing one side portion of said stock; and wherein said second stock-gripping means on said second feed slide has an open-sided throat so as to be capable of gripping and releasing an opposite side portion of said stock.
 13. In a stock feeder for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like: a frame; a main tube mounted on said frame, one end portion of said tube being longitudinally notched or cut away; a first fluid motor means including; a piston slidably mounted in the other end portion of said main tube; a piston rod connected to said piston and extending towards said cutaway portion of said main tube; a feed slide transversely disposed in said cutaway portion of said main tube and being connected to the said extended end of said piston rod; a stock-gripping means mounted on said feed slide and adapted to grip and release said stock; a second fluid motor means adapted to actuate said stock-gripping means; and valve means for controlling the operation of said first and second fluid motor means so that said feed slide alternately partakes of index and stock feed strokes.
 14. Apparatus as defined by claim 13 additionally comprising: a second main tube mounted on said frame, one end portion thereof also being longitudinally notched or cut away; a third fluid motor means including a piston slidably mounted in the other end portion of said second main tube; a piston rod connected to the last mentioned piston and extending towards said cutaway end portion of second main tube; a second feed slide transversely disposed in said cutaway portion of said second main tube and being connected to the extended end of said last mentioned piston rod; stock clamping means mounted on said second feed slide and adapted to grip and release said stock; and a fourth fluid motor means adapted to actuate said stock-gripping means, said valve means also controlling the operation of said third and fourth fluid motor means.
 15. Apparatus as defined by claim 14 wherein said first and second main tubes are laterally adjustable relative to one another, and wherein said valve means includes separate valves for respectively controlling the operation of said feed slides and said stock-gripping means.
 16. Apparatus as defined by claim 14 additionally comprising: control means adapted when actuated to operate valve means; separate power means for driving said control means; and a governor means adapted to be controlled by the operative movements of the punch press elements for governing the valve driving action of said separate power means.
 17. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; a pair of feed slides mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and stock feeding directions; stock-gripping means mounted on each of said feed slides and being adapted to grip and release said stock; a first motor means adapted to reciprocate said feed slides so as to alternately displace said slides in stock feed direction; a second motor means for actuating said stock-gripping means so as to cause said gripping means to alternately grip said stock; and control means for controlling the operation of said first and second motor means so that said feed slides alternately partake of a plurality of stock feeding strokes for each cycle of operation of said press.
 18. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said first motor means includes separate fluid motors for actuating said feed slides respectively, and wherein said second motor means includes separate fluid motors for actuating said stock-gripping means respectively.
 19. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said control means includes a first four-way valve that services said first motor means, and a second four-way valve that services said second motor means.
 20. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein a fluid operated buffer member extends through a piston rod defining part of said first motor means.
 21. Apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein said first motor means includes a fluid motor for actuating said first feed slide, and wherein said first feed slide and said fluid motor are adjustable laterally as a unit relative to the other feed slide.
 22. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said control means causes said gripping means to shift their respective operative conditions just after the punch tool of the said press has entered said stock, and causes one of said feed slides to initiate a stock feed stroke just after said tool is withdrawn from said stock.
 23. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said control means includes means to initiate a cycle of said press only after completion of a plurality of said stock feeding strokes.
 24. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said means for actuating said stock-gripping means comprises fluid motor Means that includes at least one piston and piston rod, said piston and piston rod having a fluid pressure conduit formed therethrough.
 25. Apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein said feed slides are provided with feed stroke buffer means, said buffer means including piston cylinder means that are operative to cushion the terminal portions of said feed strokes.
 26. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing strip stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; first and second feed slides mounted on said frame in mutually facing side by side relation so that each is capable of reciprocating in substantially parallel indexing and stock feed directions; actuating means for actuating said feed slides so that the latter may be alternately displaced in a stock feed direction; stock-gripping means mounted on said feed slides and adapted to grip and release said stock; said stock-gripping means including: a first lever means pivotally mounted on said first feed slide; a second lever means pivotally mounted on said second feed slide; the respective operative inner ends of said lever means facing each other and being respectively adapted to swing into and out of gripping engagement with the opposite edge portions of said stock to be advanced; actuating means operative to displace the respective outer ends of said lever means so that said inner ends may respectively grip said stock; and control means for controlling the operation of said actuating means so that said lever means may alternately grip said stock and said feed slides are alternately advanced in a stock feed direction in timed relation to the operation of said press.
 27. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said actuating means includes fluid motor means; and wherein said control means includes valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid motor means whereby said feed slides alternately partake of stock feed strokes.
 28. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said control means includes valve means and means for sequentially actuating said valve means in timed relation to the operation of said press so that said stock-gripping means shift their operative conditions while the tool of said press is in said stock.
 29. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said control means includes means to initiate a cycle of said press only after completion of a plurality of said stock feeding strokes.
 30. Apparatus as defined by claim 26 wherein said control means includes a sensing device that is controlled by the reciprocating movement of the press ram.
 31. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; a pair of feed slides each mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and feed directions; a stock-gripping means mounted on each of said feed slides; mechanical springs for biasing and driving said feed slides in an indexing direction; a first pair of fluid motors for respectively actuating said feed slides in a stock feed direction against the continuous biasing action of said mechanical springs; a second pair fluid motors for respectively actuating said stock-gripping means; valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid motors; actuator means for actuating said valve means; and control means for controlling the operation of said actuator means.
 32. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; a pair of feed slides each mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and feed directions; drive means for actuating said feed slides; a pair of fluid motors for respectively actuating said stock-gripping means; each of said fluid motors including a piston and piston rod both of which are formed with a longitudinal fluid conducting passage therethrough so that supplying and exhausting fluid pressure to and from said stock-gripping motors may take place through said fluid conducting passage; valve means for controlling the operation of said fluid motors; actuator means for actuating said valve means; and control means for controlling the operation of said actuator means.
 33. A duplex stock feeding device for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press or the like comprising: a frame; a pair of feed slides each mounted on said frame for reciprocation in indexing and stock feed directions; stock-gripping means mounted on each of said feed slides; a first pair of fluid motors for respectively actuating said feed slides through alternate feed strokes; a second pair fluid motors for respectively actuating said stock-gripping means; a plurality of valves for controlling the operation of said first and second pairs of fluid motors; actuators for actuating said valves; control means for controlling the respective operation of said actuators; mounting means for mounting said plurality of valves and said actuators in close proximity to said first and second pair of fluid motors; and a plurality of relatively short lengths of flexible tubing for respectively interconnecting said valves and said four fluid motors. 